Research Associate (f_m_x) - Horizon Europe Net4Cities project

Deutsches Helmholtz GeoForschungs-Zentrum

The Research Institute for Sustainability at GFZ (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformation processes towards sustainability in Germany and abroad. The institute was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences under its new name since the 1st of January 2023 and is thus part of the Helmholtz Association.

For our research group Urban Air Quality, Mobility, and Health in Europe we are looking for a:

Research Associate (f_m_x) - Horizon Europe Net4Cities project
Reference Number 11432

This position will be nested in the Horizon Europe funded project Net4Cities and will focus on advancing the knowledge on ‘new and emerging’ pollutants from transport sources. Advanced monitoring networks will provide real-time data and source apportionment information with the intent to communicate information in real-time for agile policy- and decision-support. A vital part of this work will be to meet and discuss with local policymakers to understand their policy interests and to translate these into monitoring approaches that align with their needs, as well as ensuring scientific relevance and robustness. This position will be hosted by RIFS, the lead coordinator of the Net4Cities consortium, and will utilise the RIFS transdisciplinary approach to research.

You will assist in the coordination of Net4Cities. This will entail planning engagement with stakeholders, preparing deliverables and milestones, and managing communication and dissemination across the consortium. The scientific focus will be on analysing air pollutant and noise data to support the determination of emission factors, source contributions, and improving our understanding of how ‘new and emerging’ pollutants relate to regulated pollutants.

Your responsibilities:

• Support for the coordination and facilitation of engagement with stakeholders, e.g., city authorities, for Berlin and for the consortium as a whole to ensure a harmonised approach
• Engagement with local stakeholders in Berlin
• Planning and organisation of stakeholder events, including webinars and workshops
• Support for maintenance of installed instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Data analysis
• Data management
• Input to and development of data visualisation (tools) for (real-time) pollution data
• Preparation of journal articles and conference presentations, project deliverables
• Management and maintenance of the project website
• General support to the project coordinator

About You:

Essential Qualifications:

Professional and Methodological competencies:

• A Master's degree in Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline
• Basic knowledge of air pollution and traffic counting measurement techniques
• Initial experience with projects in the field of transport and air quality
• Experience working in international research projects
• Familiarity with data analysis skills, e.g., in R or Python
• Experience with WordPress and Elementor
• Experience with transdisciplinary approaches
• Experience with engagement with non-academic actors strongly beneficial

Personal Competencies:

• Work independently and with a team
• Ability to work without supervision on complex tasks
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Handle multiple workflows simultaneously and independently make decisions
• Strong English and German language skills required
• Strong communication skills

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of other programming (e.g., SQL) and data analysis software beneficial
• Experience with local stakeholders beneficial
• Familiarity with online instrumentation maintenance platforms, e.g., those for noise and traffic monitors, desired
• Experience with social media and communication materials (incl. translation of scientific results into policy-relevant communication materials) for a project on a European level beneficial, especially LinkedIn and graphic design tools
• Skills in other European languages are considered an asset

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Work at the RIFS campus, 14467 Potsdam

Start date: 1st October 2026
Fixed-term: 14th July 2027
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund ”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam

Apply

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 17th August 2026. Please use our online application form only.

Required documents: letter of motivation, CV and writing sample (e.g. policy summary or fact sheet for stakeholders)

Important Technical Note: Currently, email addresses associated with domains such as @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.de may experience occasional delays or restrictions in receiving messages. To ensure smooth communication during the application process, we recommend using an alternative email address and providing an additional contact method (e.g., a phone number). Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy.

The GFZ actively promote diversity and equal opportunities. We explicitly welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age, and physical or neurodiverse abilities.

“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. To know more about our Diversity policies, contact the diversity team. If you need more information about our gender equality policies, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer and check our Equal Opportunities Plan & Cascade Model.

We look forward to applications from people who enjoy working in diverse teams, where everyone feels respected and valued and can fully develop their own talents. Applicants with severe disabilities and equalised persons will receive preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Data protection information for applicants

In case of any further queries regarding the field of activity, please contact Dr. Seán Schmitz via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

www.gfz.de